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Adam Schiff at House debate: if Trump's conduct isn't impeachable, 'nothing is' – live Democrats poised to vote on articles of impeachment against Trump – live
(32 minutes later)
The intelligence committee chairman detailed the allegations against Trump ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president Lawmakers give impassioned speeches over allegations ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opened his floor speech by sharing a fact that Democrats will “hate to hear”: “Donald J. Trump is president of the United States,” prompting cheers from his Republican caucus.
“He is president today, he will be president tomorrow and he will be president when this impeachment is over,” McCarthy said.
“Here is our choice tonight,” McCarthy continued, “Will we let impeachment become an exercise of raw political power, regardless if it damages our country? Or will we protect the proper grounds and process for impeachment now and in the future?”
Majority leader Steny Hoyer has concluded his floor speech, and congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now delivering some remarks.
The final two speakers are expected to be minority leader Kevin McCarthy and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
In his floor speech, majority leader Steny Hoyer praised congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump.
Amash spoke on the floor earlier today, encouraging his colleagues to vote in favor of impeachment for the sake of the country.
“We need not ask who will be the first to show courage by standing up to President Trump,” Hoyer said. “The question we must now ask is who will be the last to find it.”
House Republicans have repeatedly jeered Steny Hoyer as the majority leader delivers his floor speech presenting Democrats’ position on the impeachment resolution.
Trump arrives in Michigan for a campaign rally
As the impeachment debate rolls toward a final vote, Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan, where he is holding a campaign rally tonight.
Upon deboarding his plane, the president did not speak to the press, signaling that he was doing “good,” as he waved off questions.
He did issue a statement on the Affordable Care Act ruling earlier today, reassuring that “this decision will not alter the current healthcare system.”
Besides posting an all-caps tweet decrying “atrocious lies by the radical left” several hours ago, Trump has remained relatively quiet on impeachment today.
Members of Congress may begin voting on articles of impeachment against Trump as he takes the rally podium.
Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged the 63 million people who voted for Trump in 2016 but quickly nodded to the 65 million who voted for Hillary Clinton, appearing to prompt some cheers from the Democratic side of the aisle.
The Maryland Democrat also reminded his Republican colleagues that he and the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, resisted the idea of impeachment for months, until the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy emerged.
The most senior Democrats and Republicans in the House are now delivering their floor speeches, indicating the debate on the impeachment resolution is winding down.
House minority whip Steve Scalise has just finished speaking, and majority leader Steny Hoyer has now taken the mic. Minority leader Kevin McCarthy also tweeted he would soon speak on the floor.
Congressman Steve Scalise, the House minority whip, has been granted five minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution as the floor debate begins to wind down.Congressman Steve Scalise, the House minority whip, has been granted five minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution as the floor debate begins to wind down.
The Louisiana Republican accused Democrats of pursuing a “political vendetta” against Trump with their impeachment inquiry, which he said only stemmed from their “fear that he might win reelection.”The Louisiana Republican accused Democrats of pursuing a “political vendetta” against Trump with their impeachment inquiry, which he said only stemmed from their “fear that he might win reelection.”
“They made up these terms to impeach a president because they couldn’t find any crimes,” Scalise said, claiming the Democrats “hated” the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump.“They made up these terms to impeach a president because they couldn’t find any crimes,” Scalise said, claiming the Democrats “hated” the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump.
That last comment sparked boos from the Democratic side of the aisle and some cheers from Scalise’s Republican colleagues.That last comment sparked boos from the Democratic side of the aisle and some cheers from Scalise’s Republican colleagues.
Doug Collins, the Republican congressman coordinating his caucus’ floor speeches, asked Adam Schiff whether the Democrats had concluded their side of the debate, but the House intelligence committee chairman said they still had a few speakers remaining.Doug Collins, the Republican congressman coordinating his caucus’ floor speeches, asked Adam Schiff whether the Democrats had concluded their side of the debate, but the House intelligence committee chairman said they still had a few speakers remaining.
The hearing has now been underway for 10 hours, and the vote on the articles of impeachment is expected in the next hour.The hearing has now been underway for 10 hours, and the vote on the articles of impeachment is expected in the next hour.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to take the stage at his campaign rally in Michigan at any moment.Meanwhile, Trump is expected to take the stage at his campaign rally in Michigan at any moment.
On a historic day for America …On a historic day for America …
Soon, Donald Trump faces an impeachment vote in the House. This vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history.Soon, Donald Trump faces an impeachment vote in the House. This vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history.
But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. Over the last three years, much of what we hold dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. The need for a robust, independent press has never been greater.But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. Over the last three years, much of what we hold dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. The need for a robust, independent press has never been greater.
2020 promises to be an epic year – and could define the country for a generation. With your help we will continue to provide fact-based reporting that offers public scrutiny and oversight.2020 promises to be an epic year – and could define the country for a generation. With your help we will continue to provide fact-based reporting that offers public scrutiny and oversight.
We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift.We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift.
We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do.We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do.
Make a contribution.Make a contribution.
Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the chairwoman of the House Republican conference, was allowed four minutes to condemn the impeachment resolution, more time than almost any of her colleagues.Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the chairwoman of the House Republican conference, was allowed four minutes to condemn the impeachment resolution, more time than almost any of her colleagues.
The Wyoming Republican claimed Democrats had presented “no direct evidence of any impeachable offense” and warned Trump’s impeachment could set a dangerous precedent.The Wyoming Republican claimed Democrats had presented “no direct evidence of any impeachable offense” and warned Trump’s impeachment could set a dangerous precedent.
Cheney urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote “no” on the articles of impeachment to honor the Constitution and their oath of office.Cheney urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote “no” on the articles of impeachment to honor the Constitution and their oath of office.
Congressman Drew Ferguson, a Georgia Republican, condemned the impeachment resolution, calling it a “goat rodeo” and a “sham.”Congressman Drew Ferguson, a Georgia Republican, condemned the impeachment resolution, calling it a “goat rodeo” and a “sham.”
As the House debate continues on the impeachment resolution, another poll has been released showing the country is evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.As the House debate continues on the impeachment resolution, another poll has been released showing the country is evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.
According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 48% of Americans favor the president’s impeachment and removal from office, while 48% oppose it.According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 48% of Americans favor the president’s impeachment and removal from office, while 48% oppose it.
Trump and his allies have taken to claiming in recent days that support for impeachment is sharply declining. In reality, support for the president’s impeachment has been virtually unmoved since the inquiry’s public hearings started.Trump and his allies have taken to claiming in recent days that support for impeachment is sharply declining. In reality, support for the president’s impeachment has been virtually unmoved since the inquiry’s public hearings started.
Congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, accused Democrats of cooking up baseless allegations against Trump to make up for their loss in the 2016 election.Congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, accused Democrats of cooking up baseless allegations against Trump to make up for their loss in the 2016 election.
“The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is beating Hillary Clinton,” the California Republican said.“The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is beating Hillary Clinton,” the California Republican said.
Nunes went on to slam his Democratic colleagues for “ripping the country apart ... in their lust for power.”Nunes went on to slam his Democratic colleagues for “ripping the country apart ... in their lust for power.”
Echoing dozens of his colleagues, congressman Jim Jordan argued Democrats only pursued impeachment to punish Trump for his allaged success in office.Echoing dozens of his colleagues, congressman Jim Jordan argued Democrats only pursued impeachment to punish Trump for his allaged success in office.
“When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back,” the president’s House ally said.“When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back,” the president’s House ally said.
It also appears congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, will get the chance to weigh in on the floor.It also appears congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, will get the chance to weigh in on the floor.
After two more of Trump’s House allies, Mark Meadows and John Ratcliffe, spoke in opposition to the impeachment resolution, Adam Schiff predicted history would remember his Republican colleagues poorly.After two more of Trump’s House allies, Mark Meadows and John Ratcliffe, spoke in opposition to the impeachment resolution, Adam Schiff predicted history would remember his Republican colleagues poorly.
“I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did,” Schiff said.“I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did,” Schiff said.
This condemnation was met by audible groans on the Republican side of the aisle.This condemnation was met by audible groans on the Republican side of the aisle.
Congressman Lee Zeldin, a close House ally of Trump’s, was given three minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution, a relatively lengthy window given most of his colleagues who have spoken in this hour of the debate were only allowed 30 seconds.
Zeldin directed most of his ire at Adam Schiff, accusing the intelligence committee chairman of “cherry-picking” facts and “misleading” the American public.
He concluded by encouraging his colleagues to vote “no” on impeachment. “It’s a total Schiff show,” Zeldin concluded, appearing to prompt a chuckle from the Democratic chairman.
Adam Schiff interrupted the string of short floor speeches to argue his Republican colleagues are unable to address the accusations against Trump, claiming the president’s allies are only able to come up with “process” complaints about the impeachment inquiry.
Schiff’s comments prompted grumbling on the Republican side of the aisle. “Apparently, Madame Speaker, I’ve struck a nerve,” Schiff said.
He went on to say of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine, “They don’t want to defend that conduct. ... What they can’t say is that this president’s conduct was ethical.”
“Auntie Maxine” is now trending on Twitter after congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered her floor speech in favor of the impeachment resolution.
“This day was not inevitable, but it was predictable,” Waters said, “because this president has shown himself time and time again to believe that he is above the law and he has no respect for our Constitution or our democracy.”
Time check: there is a little over an hour remaining in the impeachment debate, but Republicans have about 43 minutes left compared to the Democrats’ 29 minutes.
Meanwhile, even reporters from Hawaiian outlets have been unable to determine whether one of their representatives, Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, will participate in tonight’s impeachment vote.
Gabbard was not present for this morning’s procedural votes, and the presidential candidate proposed yesterday that Democrats censure Trump rather than impeaching him.
If Gabbard does appear, it’s unclear how she will vote on the two articles of impeachment.
One Republican cingressman suggested the House should consider the removal of Nancy Pelosi, prompting a laugh from the speaker.
While lawmakers on Capitol Hill are preoccupied with impeachment, a federal judge dropped a long-awaited decision on healthcare, ruling that the Obamacare mandate requiring Americans to buy coverage is unconstitutional but declining to rule on whether the entire Affordable Care Act is valid. The decision doesn’t have much immediate impact, because Congress already repealed the penalty for those who don’t buy insurance. But the court delayed any decision on whether the entire ACA is unconstitutional because of the mandate, leaving it to a district court to “provide additional analysis of the provisions of the ACA as they currently exist.”
In 2018, a group of Republican-led states filed a lawsuit arguing that individual mandate repeal meant that the entire law should be town down. The Fifth Circut agreed, but the decision was appealed by Democratic state attorneys, including California.
California’s attorney general Xavier Becerra said he will challenge today’s ruling as well.
The ruling thrusts the debate of the Affordable Care Act, and its many provisions including protections for people with preexisting medical conditions, back into the national spotlight as the 2020 elections approach.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the chairwoman of the House financial service committee, argued the impeachment resolution would allow “justice” to be served.
Quoting Maya Angelou, Waters said of the president, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, another Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump in 2016, has also just taken the floor to explain her support for the impeachment resolution.
Spanberger and Elaine Luria, who spoke shortly before her, are two of the vulnerable freshman Democrats who signed a Washington Post op-ed in September asserting Trump’s alleged actions toward Ukraine constituted impeachable behavior.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump by 3 points in 2016, has just finished delivering her floor speech explaining her support for impeachment.
Luria said she spoke today “in support of our Constitution” and the oath she first took at 17, when she entered the naval academy.
The congresswoman said she stood on the House floor with the “resolve to do what is right and not what is politically expedient.”